Pochettino Delays USMNT Future Talks After 4-1 Belgium Loss
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 7
Pochettino Delays USMNT Future Talks After 4-1 Belgium Loss
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 7
Summary
Mauricio Pochettino said he will wait until the coming weeks to discuss his future with U.S. Soccer after the United States crashed out in a 4-1 round-of-16 defeat to Belgium.
4-1 reflected a collapse Pochettino blamed on a lack of quality and intensity, saying the U.S. never connected with the game and that he, not outside distractions, bore primary responsibility.
Charles De Ketelaere scored twice around Malik Tillman’s 31st-minute equalizer, and Matt Freese’s 57th-minute giveaway set up Hans Vanaken before Romelu Lukaku added a stoppage-time fourth.
This was the U.S. worst display since March and another round-of-16 exit after 2022, 2014 and 2010, though Pochettino said the team had improved markedly from last summer’s slump and now has a clearer player assessment.